EVENT COVERAGE
Monty’s Bakehouse developed a Chinese Barbecue Style Chicken Savory Pastry packed in a convenient hand-held ovenable box
dsi Foods’ entry of Chicken Tikka Masala won a Mercury Award for best Economy Class product
Mercury marks
35 years The industry’s iconic awards competition took classic tastes at the top of the winner boards at the 2016 SIAL event in Abu Dhabi
L
eaders in the inflight-catering industry were honored at the 35th annual Mercury Awards, part of SIAL 2016, at a glittering award ceremony held December 5 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri in Abu Dhabi. The chicken classics had the judges’ taste buds tingling. A specially designed pastry used in the Chinese Barbecue Style Chicken Savory Pastry packed in a convenient hand-held ovenable box was and entry from Monty’s Bakehouse in the Food Product – Snack category. The taste and quality of the Chicken Tikka Masala by dsi Foods was a winning example of a classic dish — simple, tasty and elegantly presented. Etihad Airways was recognized for a textured dessert in the Airline Meal – Premium Class category; Qantas Airways won the award for Service Concept – Economy Class for their Qantas International Dining experience, while Qatar Airways’ Super Food Salad won the Service Concept – Premium Class. The Best Beverage award was won by Italian coffee maker Caffe di Artisan; best Food Product - Sweet, was won by the Lithuanian ice cream producer, AB Klaipedos; and best Food Product – Snack, awarded to U.K. supplier, Monty’s Bakehouse. “Classics never go out of fashion and chicken is a staple for many travelers, it’s always incredibly popular,” said
Joanne Cook, Managing Director, SIAL Middle East. Organizers say the judging panel of independent experts were impressed by the innovative products and the advances companies are making in this highly competitive sector. The Mercury Awards capped off the opening day of 2016 edition of SIAL Middle East, which opened on Monday, December 5. Inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister
of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the awards took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until December 7, and were organized in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). The judging for La Cuisine by SIAL, organized by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, was held the final day of evaluation.
Winners of 2016 Mercury Awards AIRLINE MEAL - ECONOMY Company: dsi Foods Title of Entry: Chicken Tikka Masala with Pea Pulao & Daal Tadka
FOOD PRODUCT – SWEET Company: AB Klaipedos Title of Entry: Dione Premium Ice Cream Bar
AIRLINE MEAL – PREMIUM CLASS Company: Etihad Airways Title of Entry: Textured Dessert
BEVERAGE Company: Caffe di Artisan Title of Entry: Ultimate FoodTech Coffee Disruption
SERVICE CONCEPT – ECONOMY CLASS Company: Qantas Airways Title of Entry: Qantas International Dining Experience
EQUIPMENT – PRODUCTION Company: Malton Title of Entry: Ministro Vacuum Flask
SERVICE CONCEPT – PREMIUM CLASS Company: Qatar Airways Title of Entry: Super Food Salad
EQUIPMENT – PASSENGER Company: Faerch Plast Title of Entry: Airline Modular Concept
FOOD PRODUCT - SNACK Company: Monty’s Bakehouse Title of Entry: Chinese BBQ Style Chicken Savoury Pastry
TWO HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS Company: Kaelis Title of Entry: Improved Coat Check-In System
FOOD PRODUCT – SAVOURY Company: Source Food – Green Gourmet Title of Entry: Sweet Potato Fries
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Company: Malaysia Airlines Title of Entry: Salmon dish - Superfoods